Hakone again most popular spa

The Hakone hot springs resort in Kanagawa Prefecture ranked first in 2012 for the seventh year in a row as the destination survey respondents said they want to visit again among all the spas in Japan, hotel reservation portal site operator Jalan net said.

The Yufuin hot springs resort in Oita Prefecture ranked second, followed by Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture, Noboribetsu in Hokkaido and Beppu in Oita, all unchanged from the previous year, according to a survey conducted by Recruit Lifestyle Co.

The September poll, released in December, collected 8,721 valid answers. Hakone proved the most popular, with many respondents citing easy access, the atmosphere and surrounding nature.